Michael Bennett retires from the NFL after 11 seasons
"As the great Toni Morrison said: 'Freeing yourself was one thing, claiming ownership of that freed self was another'"
Tuesday 21 July 2020 16:18, UK
Three-time Pro Bowl defensive lineman Michael Bennett has announced his retirement after 11 seasons in the NFL.
Bennett, 34, rose to prominence as a valued and versatile lineman for the Seattle Seahawks from 2013-2017 and has 69.5 career sacks to his name.
"Retiring feels a little like death of self, but I'm looking forward to the rebirth - the opportunity to reimagine my purpose," Bennett posted to Instagram.
"I would like to thank my wife and children, who have sacrificed so much for me to succeed. I'm looking forward to supporting them the same way they have me these past 11 years. I have never been more at peace in my life.
"As the great Toni Morrison said: 'Freeing yourself was one thing, claiming ownership of that freed self was another.'"
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Bennett finished last season with the Dallas Cowboys following a mid-season trade from the New England Patriots. He played for the Philadelphia Eagles in 2018.
In his final three seasons with Seattle, Bennett was a Pro Bowl selection and had been an anchor of the front four as the Seahawks won Super Bowl XLVIII in 2014.
Prior to joining the Seahawks, Bennett was with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, having signed as an undrafted free agent out of Texas A&M in 2009.
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